Chain-swivel.



A. J. POLL'OGK.

CHAIN SWIVEL. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1908.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

tlhlflTEB SKATES ALEXAEDER J. POLLOOK, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

GZ'IAIN-SWLVEL.

Application filed June 15, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, iinnxarznnn J. POL- LOCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Louis, Eitate of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in atch-Chain Swivels and the Like, of which the following is a. specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is an elevational view of my chain swivel, showing the parts in closed or locked position; Fig. 2 is also an elevational view of the same, showing the watch-attaching yoke or loop in unlocked or open posi tion; Fig. 3 is an enlarged View, partly in elevation and partly in section; Fig. 4. is a top plan view of the yoke-supporting mem ber, showing the locking plate for locking the watch-attaching yoke in closed position; and is a plan view of the under side of the cap or top member.

This invention relates to a new and useful mprovement in watch-chain swivels and the ike.

While my swivel is specially adapted for use in connection with watch-chains and will be so described herein, yet it is to be understood that it may be used equally as well in connection with other chains and for many other purposes.

Eeretofore, so far as I am aware, watchchain s vivels have been made with the watchattaching yoke or loop formed of a strip of metal fastened to one side of the body portion of the swivel and bent around to very near the other side of said body por tion. leaving short open space which is closed by a spring-operated prong attached to said body portion, said prong, when the swivel is in good working order, being adapted to contact or register with said loop or yoke portion to close said opening. In such construction, the watch-attaching ring of a watch easily inserted into or removed from said watch-attaching loop or yoke by pressing said prong-member inwardly, as is well understood; but usually, after v ry short usage, such spring-operated prong gets out of order or the said loop pulls or tends to strai 'hten out, whereby the said. two partssaid prongs and loop mcmbersdo not register and good joint is not made, resulting in ny instances in the loss of a watch or requiring some expense in repairing the parts or in supplying a new swivel.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Feb. 16, 1909.

derial No. $38,566.

The object of my invention is, therefore, to provide a swivel which is strong, durable, and which will not easily get out of order, and one in which the parts will not pull loose or will not readily become unfastened, except by a positive effort on the part of the user.

With this object in View, my invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the yoke-supporting member and the means for locking said watch-attaching yoke in closed position; in the novel means for operating said locking means to lock said yoke in closed position or to unlock the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts, all as will hereinafter be described and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a cup-shaped cap or top member having a central, preferably circular portion or boss 2, said portion 2 being provided with a bore 3, through which bore is adapted to pass a pivot-rod or bar Said bore 3 is of somewhat larger diameter at its top for receiving therein around said rod 4 a coiled spring 5, for purposes hereinafter stated, while the thickness of metal around said enlarged portion of bore 3 is somewhat reduced, providing a shouldered portion or neck on which is mounted a collar or swivel-ring 6 having attached thereto a ring or yoke 7 to which the watch or other chain 8 is adapted to be attached, the periphery of ring 6 being preferably flush with the outer surface of said cap or top member 1, see Fig. 3, so as to present a neat appearance. At each side of the bore 3 and in the bottom of said boss or portion 2 is secured or mounted a pin or stud 9, for purposes hereinafter described.

10 indicates a second cup-shaped portion, which might be called the yoke-supporting member. In the center of the upper surface of said member 10 is a screw-threaded circular portion or boss 11, in which is adapted to be screwed or mounted the pivot-bar 4, which, when the top member 1 and member 10 are assembled together in operative position, extends up through bore 3, the upper end of bar 4: being screw-threaded for receiving thereon a locking nut or head 12 for holding the said parts firmly together, said nut or head 12 also compressing spring 5. The cap or top member 1 is provided along its edge with a flange 22 fitting over a cosaid yoke into open position; and also in' operating flange 23 'on the member 10. By such construction, the swivel-ring 6 and ring 7 secured thereto are always free to rotate in either direction on said member 1, and

while said member 1 is also rotatable on said which is preferably provided with squared heads 14 and 15, which are adapted to fit into and extend through openings in the base of said member 10 to each side of said central portion or boss 11. Each head 14: and 15 is provided with a groove, as at 16, see particularly Fig. 2, for cooperating with a locking-plate 17 mounted in said member 10 around said central portion or boss 11. This locking-plate 17 is cut-away or provided with peripheral notches at opposite points on its periphery, as at 18, see particularly Fig. 1, and is also provided with oppositely-positioned openings or perforations 19, into which openings or perforations 19 the said pins or studs 9 are adapted to fit, and with which plate 17 said pins or studs 9 cooperate to lock said watch-attaching yoke in closed position or to unlock said yoke into open position. On said member 10 is also mounted a short pin or stud 20, which is adapted to fit in a short concentric limitingslot 21 in said locking-plate 17, whereby the amount of movement of said locking-plate 17 and of said member 1 is regulated to lock or unlock said yoke 13 in said member 10.

From the above description, the operation of my swivel is obvious. \Vhen the parts are assembled together, the member 1 being held firmly in operative relation with said member 10 by means of the pivot-bar 4, nut or head 12, and spring 5, as hereinbefore stated, the pins or studs 9 are adapted to fit in the openings or perforations 19 in said plate 17 In Figs. 3 and 1, the watclrattaching yoke is shown in locked position, in which position the stud or pin 20 is at the left-hand end, see Fig. 4:, of said slot 21, and the edges ofsaid locking-plate 17 extend into said groove 16 in heads 14 and 15 of said yoke. N ow when it is desired to unlock said yoke to secure a watch thereon or for some other reason, the top member 1 is turned against the force of spring 5 to the left, whereby, through said pins or studs 9, the locking-plate 17 is also turned towards the left, until further movement in that direction is prevented by stud 2O contacting with the right-hand end of slot 21, in which last positiontlie peripheral notches 18 on said locking-plate 17 register with said heads 14 and 15 and said yoke 13 is released and may be pulled from said member 10. In order, however, to prevent the entire withdrawal of yoke 13 from said member 10 and so that the same may be swung thereon as shown inv Fig. 2, on head 15 is mounted and secured a coiled spring 2 1 and followerplate or washer 25, as shown particularly in Fig. 3. When the yoke 13 is pulled outwardly after being released from connection with said locking-plate 17, the followerplate or washer 25 will contact with the base of member 10, compressing spring 24:, and prevent the withdrawal of head 15 of said yoke, said yoke 13 being then easily swung on said member 10, the tension of said spring 241 tending to pull said head 15 back into said 'member 10. When it is desired to again lock said yoke in closed position, the ends of said yoke are easily inserted through their respective openings in said member 10, such movement being assisted by the tension of said spring 24, the cap member 1 and, through the stud or pins 9 thereon, the locking-plate 17 turned towards the right, whereby the edge of said locking-plate 17 is slipped or forced into said groove 16 in said heads 1 1 and 15, when the yoke is firmly locked in closed position.

It will be obvious that my swivel may be made of various sizes for different purposes, and it is also obvious that minor changes in the arrangement, construction, and combination of the several parts of my swivel may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention. It is also seen that my swivel is strong, durable, and easily operated, but when the parts are once locked in closed position, they will not readily become unfastened, except by a positive effort on the part of the user of the swivel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the kind described, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attaching-member, the ends of said attaching-member being adapted to fit into said supportingmember, means movably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted to releasably secure the ends of said attaching member in said supporting-member, and a top-member movably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted to cooperate with said securing-means to operate the same; substantially as described.

2. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a. supporting member, of an attaching yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting member, rotatory means on said supporting member cooperating.

securing the same in said supporting memher, and a top member rotatably mounted on said supporting member and cooperating with said securing means to lock or release the ends of said yoke; substantially as described.

3. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting member, of an attaching-yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting member, a lockingplate provided with peripheral notches mounted on said supporting member and cooperating with the ends of said yoke for releasably securing the same in said supporting-member, a top member rotatably mounted on said supporting-member, and means on said top member cooperating with said locking-plate to lock or release said yoke on the rotation of said top member; substantially as described.

I. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting member, of an attaching yoke,

the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting member, a locking-plate provided with peripheral notches mounted on said supporting member and cooperating with the ends of said yoke for releasably securing the same in said supporting-member, a top-member rotatably mounted on said supporting-member, and pins on said top-member for cooperating with said locking-plate to lock or release said yoke on the rotation of said top member; substantially as described.

5. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attaching yoke, the ends of said yoke extending into said supporting-member, a locking-plate provided with peripheral notches mounted on said supporting member and cooperating with the ends of said yoke for releasably securing the same in said supporting-member, a top-member rotatably mounted on said supporting-member, pins on said top-memher for cooperating with said locking plate to lock or release said yoke on the rotation of said top member, and means for limiting the rotative movement of said top-member, so that when said peripheral notches are caused to register with the ends of said yoke, said yoke may be withdrawn from said supporting-member; substantially as described.

6. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting member, of an attaching yoke. the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting-member. a pivot-bar mounted on said supporting-member, means on said supporting-member for releasably securing said yoke thereto, a top-member rotatably mounted on said pivot-bar in cooperative relation to said supporting-member, means on said top-member for coeperating with said securing means to lock or release said yoke, and means for holding said top-member in cooperative relation with said supporting-member; substantially as described.

7. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attaching yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting-member, a pivot-bar mounted on said supporting-member, means on said supporting-member for releasably securing said yoke thereto, a top-member rotatably mounted on said pivot-bar in cooperative relation to said supporting-member, means on said top member for cooperating with said securing means to lock or release said yoke, and a nut on the end of said pivot-bar adapted to hold said top and supporting-members in cooperative relation; substantially as described.

8. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attaching-yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting-member, means rotatably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted to releasably secure the ends of said yoke in said supporting-member, a topnieniber rotatably mounted in cotiperative relation to said suppo ting-member, means on said top-member adapted to cooperate with said securing-means to operate the same, means adapted to hold said top and supperting-members in cotE-pcrative relation. and a spring adapted to retard the rotation of said top-member; substantially as he scribed.

In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supportingmember, of an attaching yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting-member, a. pivot-bar mounted on said suppciting-member, a locking-plate provided with peripheral notches mounted on said supporting-member and cooperating with the ends of said yoke for releasably securing said yoke to said support ing-member, a top-member rotatablymounted on said pivot-bar in coperative relation to said supporting-member, pins on said top-member for cooperating with said locking plate to lock or release said yoke, means for retarding the rotation of said top-member, and a swivel-ring on said top-meml' er; substantially as described.

10. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting-meml er, of an attachii'ig yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting-member, a groove in each end of said yoke, a pivotbar mounted on said supporting-member, a locking-plate provided with peripheral notches rotatably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted to cooperate with and fit into said groove in the ends of said yoke for releasably securing said yoke to said supportingmember, a top-member rotatably mounted on said pivot-bar in cofiperative relation to said supporting-member, pins on said topmember fitting into openings in said locking-plate, whereby said locking-plate is 1'0- tated on the rotation of said top-member to lock or release said yoke, means for limiting the rotation of said locking-plate, so that when said peripheral notches register with the ends of said yoke, said yoke may be withdrawn from said supporting-member, and a spring for retarding the rotation of said top-member; substantially as described.

11. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attaching yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting-member, a groove in each end of said yoke, a pivot-bar mounted on said supporting-member, a locking-plate provided with a limiting-slot and peripheral notches rotatably mounted on said supporting-member and adapt d to cooperate with and fit into said groove in the ends of said yoke for releasably securing said yoke to said supporting member, a too member rotatably mounted on said pivot-bar in coiiperative relation to said supporting-member, a nut or head on said pivot-bar for holding said top-member in cooperative relation with said supporting-member, pins on said top member fitting into 0 oenings in said lockingplate, whereby said locking-plate is rotated on the rotation of said top-member to lock or release said yoke, a pin on said supporting-member fitting in said limiting slot, whereby the rotation of said top-member is limited, a spring for retarding the rotation of said top-member, and a swivel-ring on said top-member; substantially as described.

12. 111 a device of the kind described, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attaching-member, the ends of said attaching-member being adapted to fit into and extend through openings in said supporting-member, means movably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted. to releasably secure the ends of said attachingmember in said supporting-member, a topmember movably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted to coiiperate with said securing-means to operate the same, and means adapted to prevent the entire withdrawal of the ends of said attaching-men'iber from said supporting-member when released therefrom by said. securing-means; substantially as described.

13. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attachingyoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into and extend through openings in the base of said supporting-member, a lockingplate mounted in said supporting-member for cooperating with the ends of said yoke to releasably secure the same in said supporting-member, a top-member rotatably mount ed on said supporting-member, means on said top-member coiiperating with said locking-plate to lock or release said yoke in said supporting-member on the rotation of said top-member, and a spring and follower mounted on one end of said yoke for preventing the entire withdrawal of said yoke from said supporting-member when released therefrom by said locking-plate substantially as described.

14-. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attaching yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into and extend through openings in the supportinganembe means on said supporting member cooperating with the ends of said yoke for releasably securing the same in said supp rting-member, a top-member rotatably mounted on said supporting-member and cooperating with said securing means to lock or release the ends of said yoke, and means for retarding the rotation of said top-nember; substantially as described.

15. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a supporting-member, of an attachingyoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into and extend through openings in said suppciting-member, means on said supporting-member cooperating with the ends of said yoke -for releasably securing the same in said supportingmember, a top-member rotatably mounted on said supporting-member and cooperating with said securing means to lock or release the ends of said yoke, means for holding said top-member in cooperative relation with said supporting-member, a spring for retarding the rotation of said topmember, and a chain-attaching ring on said top-member; substantially as described.

16. In a device of the kind described, the combination with a yoke-supporting-member, of an attaching-yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supportingmember, means movably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted to releasably secure the ends of said yoke to sa1d supportlug-member, a top-member movably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted to cooperate with said securingmeans to operate the same, and means adapted to retard the movement of said top-member; substantially as described.

17. In a chain-swivel, the combination with adapted to be releasably locked to said supporting-member, means on said supportingmember for releasably locking said yoke thereto, and a top member having rotary movement on. said supporting member and adapted to cooperate with said locking means to actuate the same; substantially as described.

18. In a with ayoke-supporting-member,- of a yoke adapted to be releasably locked to said supporting-member, means on said supporting member for releasably locking said yoke thereto, a top member rotatably mounted on said supporting-member J and cooperating a yoke-supporting-member, of a yoke chain-swivel, the combination With said locking-means to actuate the same, and means adapted to limit the rotatory movement of said top-member on said supporting-member; substantially as described.

19. In a chain-swivel, the combination with a yoke-s11pporting-member, of an attaching-yoke, the ends of said yoke being adapted to fit into said supporting-member, means rotatably mounted on said supportingmember and adapted to releasably secure the ends of said yoke to said supporting-member, a top-member rotatably mounted on said supporting-member and adapted to cooperate with said securing-means to operate I t 1e same, and a chain-attaching ring universally rotatable on said top-member; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ALEXANDER J. POLLOGK.

Witnesses:

CHARLES B. TRIMMER, GEORGE S. TOURVILLE. 

